Panda, a female St. Bernard, is on the mend after losing a leg

Now that she is getting some much-needed attention, medical care and, yes, human affection, Panda the St. Bernard appears to be coping with being one leg short of a full complement.

The sweet-natured 97-pound dog had surgery to remove her right back leg after she was found chained in front of a Monroe County home late last month. Her foot had become tangled in the chain and she had chewed her leg off to get free.

A veterinarian performed an amputation on Panda to remove the rest of the leg up to the hip. The dog appears to be healing well, says Beth Weaver of Knoxville, founder of Smokey Mountain Saints, a rescue organization for the breed.

In Madisonville, Adolfo Lopez, 22, waived arraignment Monday on charges of animal cruelty in connection with the case. He faces a court date May 27 in Monroe County General Sessions Court.

An incident report on the case shows that Panda - who was called Pandora by her owners, according to Weaver - was found March 25 chained along with another Saint Bernard, Pete, at Lopez's home without food, water or shelter. Both dogs were on chains, but Panda had only the stump of her leg, and the wound was infected and filled with maggots.

Weaver was called to take possession of both dogs. Monday, Panda and Pete met members of the media at Dog Days Canine Playschool in Farragut. Both seemed well-socialized and at ease with all their newfound friends.

Panda still has a shaved area on her right flank from the surgery, and she hops around on three legs without much trouble. Weaver said she is still taking antibiotics and has pain medication available. But she shows no signs of hurting.

She said the dog chewed the leg off in desperation, which she said probably took two or three agonizing days.

"She sacrificed her leg to get free," Weaver said.

Panda weighed about 90 pounds when rescued and has gained seven pounds since her surgery. Healthy adult female Saint Bernards usually weigh 110 to 135 pounds, Weaver said.

There are no plans to fit Panda with a prosthetic leg, although the people at her "forever home" could choose to go that route if they want. Smokey Mountain Saints is seeking permanent homes for both dogs.

Weaver said she gets about 75 e-mail messages a day about Panda and about 25 phone calls. Dog Days Canine Playschool will host a "meet and greet" for Panda and Pete from noon-3 p.m. Saturday. The event is open to the public.